So I get an e-mail from my church with a challenge of sharing my faith to the world at large through social media. A mandate to testify, spiritually why I believe what I believe. A few things can go through a person's head when they are met with such an impassioned challenge. What I want to share is not so much why I believe what I believe, I feel that will take care of itself. I'm not going to try to share why you, reader should to. That is not fully my place and I'm fearful Christianity has done a horrific job in these politicized times, to make anything 'Christian' appear: myopic, fake, politically far right, ignorant, uncaring, critical, judging, bigoted and rejecting. Sadly, some people who call themselves 'Christian' have displayed all of those qualities. They have used their false perspective of Christ to promote some selfish political agenda. As a matter of fact, if I did not believe what I believe I personally would not at all want anything to do with some of these 'Christians.'
Then I look at my life and see how I fall short as well: I have trouble forgiving, at times I emphasize money and status, I'm critical, I'm lustful, I can be dishonest, I'm ungrateful, I lack faith, I've gotten drunk in the past to solve my emotional pain, I've broken minor laws in the past to get arrested and on and on and on. So, I sit here honestly wondering what I have to offer the world around me right now that would:
(1) Make it believe I'm not like every other hypocritical 'Christian' who has nothing to offer save for self righteous judgement.
(2) Allow the world to see true faith in a different light.
Reader, here is the sobering news. I cannot do a thing to make you believe in the true meaning of Easter and Good Friday.
Although, it is my job to partly show you traits of Christ through a holy life lived in Him, I don't have the ability to make you believe in Him. Whewww! I'm so glad that is the case. Because if it was up to me to take you into a positive afterlife you'd most certainly be in trouble. See, reader I fear now that since you know this about me you will be watching more carefully what I say, what I post online, what I listen to, what I watch etc. Listen, as much as I try to live 'RIGHT' day to day you will still see me fall and fail. Hopefully, as I grow in Christ more and more it will be less and less me and MORE AND MORE HIM BEING MAGNIFIED IN MY SHORTCOMINGS. So, I courageously press on here.
CHRIST is the one who knocks at your door to take you to an afterlife that deletes all the pains you will experience here on earth. He will even be a source of comfort for when you are experiencing them in the here and now. He knocked on my door and I finally opened it on July 18th 1990 in Fort Walton Beach, FL. at a youth camp called BREAKAWAY. Each year I celebrate two birthdays. My biological birthday May 29th and my spiritual birthday July 18th. I treat them the same and even have dinner and a birthday cake with friends each July 18th. I was physically born in Gadsden, AL. and spiritually born in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. When we look around in the world most all religions have a rigorous set of rules, mantras, creeds and things YOU have to do to find: peace, eternity, fulfillment, acceptance, enlightenment, clarity etc. The amazing thing about Christ is that you have to simply believe: HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR YOUR SINS AND REPENT OF THOSE SINS. (remember- don't worry you will still sin, you will just have someone who you can come to to wash them clean each time out through confession) A moment ago I shared with you why people don't want to believe in Christ. That being, because, people who call themselves His followers constantly let the world down. That is a valid reason. But, another primary one is that just BELIEVING SOMETHING SOUNDS TOO SIMPLE. It sounds too 'elementary school' folklore. We are taught that we live in a world where 'nothing good comes easy, unless we work hard to obtain it. It stands to reason for some that SOMETHING SO SPLENDID (I.E. eternity in Heaven with Christ and loved ones gone before and peace here on earth) has to take work, has to be earned. Friend, it DOES NOT. It never did. My parents prayed for me for years when I was a child. Because I was so rebellious in attitude. I know that at 14 years of age the prayer I made to ask Christ come into my heart was so natural and EFFORTLESS it had to be VALID!
Reader, as time goes on I hope my life magnifies this message. I fall short and unfortunately, there will be times it may not. But, I absolutely want you to hold me accountable. More importantly, I want you to know He (Christ) will never let you down. He is perfect in every way, even as his followers (true ones, not false ones) try but fail at times.
Since 1990 I've grown in my faith. I've suffered tremendous pain (accepting Christ does not shield you from the world, he just gives you a rock to lean upon). I've seen Him do some amazing faith building things in my life. In all of this it has been a journey worth starting.
*For anyone needing clarity concerning Christianity and faith in Christ - Timothy Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian and his churches across America (Headquarters in NYC) is an excellent start who tailors the message of Christ in a modernistic way that is understandable to our generation. I encourage you to download his podcast, sermons, read his teachings and visit his church in NYC or their affiliates across America. I also encourage you to go to a bible believing church and get counsel from a trusted pastor who lives a Godly lifestyle. Happy Easter!
Much Love In His Blood,
Your Both Failing, Yet Conquering Friend All In One
j.c.b.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Coping With Corona Virus - A Paradigm Shift
Reader,
I come to you this morning saying something that may sound crass. This social distancing thing has been fairly easy for me. The fear of myself or loved ones getting sick has not brought me much anxiety. Here is why:
I have been through more painful experiences before. At times I'm still realizing them. I can remember my grandfather having to tell me I was in the pre stages of skin cancer back in 08' and to come in for a lab result. I guess southern boys like to ride around with their shirts off a little too much. I know what it is like to live alone for extended periods of time only to wake up with yourself each morning and wonder if that will change. I know what it is like to realize your life is a lot different than all those you graduated with and to want what they have. I know what it is like to feel that no one understands what you are experiencing, even as an adult. And just this year I watched two family members who I could confide in and who's peculiar personalities melded really well with mine, pass away in consecutive months. For whatever reason I could reach inside them deeply when others could not. I know what it is like to blow thousands of dollars in hiring people to help you find romance only to see it not work. I know what it is like to piss away a relationship, FOREVER, with the best woman a man could ever have; in your early twenties. I know what is like to realize the regret and results of my inability in that is much worse than I could have imagined. I know people say things are not as bad as they seem, but some times in life they can be worse. I know what it is like to get fired from multiple jobs in my twenties and early thirties. I know what it is like for people to doubt me. Boy, do I ever! I could go on. Some others of us could as well reader.
I know you know that these are painful, fearful and uncertain times. Yes, it will be strange to go back to an establishment to eat only to find some friendships you enjoyed with staff there will never be realized again. In a way it will feel like it does when we were in school and starting over each year with a new teacher and in some cases - classmates. I write this synopsis of my testimony to demonstrate to you what you have to do to make it through this. That being, you need to draw upon past painful experiences and let them strengthen you for our present battle. Listen, I know it sounds counter intuitive. Trust me, you will need to mix in this sour with all of the sweet you are using to make it through. When I look back on those dynamics and even some I'm going through now, I see how this issue today does not match up. Back when Bear Bryant was coaching the University of Alabama football team he made practices so hard that his players would say the games felt like fun and they were easier. You need to drawn from an experience from your past that makes coping with today's world feel easier. Please, understand I am not minimizing what we are all going through, yet I can promise you there are some of us who are more battle tested than what this issue is offering. If there are some of you out there not as battle tested - then seek and confide in those that are from an emotional standpoint...............................................
NOW THE SWEET
Many people I know who are my age seek the 90's when they want to heal with nostalgia. Some like the grunge music or they like Seinfeld. I made some poor decisions which caused some self -inflicted heartache in the 90's which caused me to have an unfavorable opinion of that decade as I was living in it. Now, I just have an even perspective on that time in my life. I go back and listen to music or watch old episodes of Wings. Yet, although I don't hate that decade, I also don't love it either. I can take it or leave it.
When I really want to heal and get my second wind I retreat back into the 80's. To me that was the last period of my life before I was either a teenager suffering from insecurities or a college student overwhelmed with thoughts about what I'd be doing with my life. Or now in these times what I've done wrong in my life. As a matter of fact I often tell people I wish I could have been coming of age or had been a young adult in the 80's or even the 70's. I also feel that, that time span had the best sitcoms, movies and the best pop music/culture in our history. I have spent the last several days back in that decade, and I can say how magical, how creative it was then.....................and how visceral it is now. Here is what I want to recommend to lift your spirits
I watched Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox last week and laughed until I thought I'd get sick. It is more of an under the radar coming of age movie that is a little less know than some others. But man, it will do the job. Here are some songs videos I've been healing with the past few days:
Dan Hartman: I Can Dream About You
Irene Cara: What a Feeling (Flashdance soundtrack)
Squeeze: 853-5937
Mike Reno (Loverboy) & Ann Wilson: Almost Paradise
How I'm coping:
DO NOTS:
Watch the news hardly at all. It is full of negative and sometimes sensationalized information that can cause anxiety. I limit it to once a week or so to see if there is new medical advice....that is it.
Watch the president's state of the union address. This is not to be political at all. Yet, he says crazy things then some interviewer with an opposing political perspective will say condescending things and you have a great big argument and have wasted much of your time. You are basically watching two people act like children.
Hang out on social media too long. I know, you're saying wait a minute that is how I connect and stave off loneliness. True, yet there are better ways to do that where you don't have to see news feeds of someone having the life you want and think you lack.......or someone sharing false information that can be stressful, inflammatory political statements, or you have hackers (in my case lately on FB) or more news that can be stressful. When we are anxious we are more prone to addiction and unfortunately, social media and the t.v. can fuel it.
Drink alcohol. I'm going completely dry until July (my new slogan and goal)
DO's:
Contact people the old fashion way by (letter, phone call) Use text and Messenger but do it sparingly.
Be creative. Now is the time to write new poetry, music, love letters - make more visual art
Temperature therapy: Hot bath or cold bath. Temperature extremes can be chemically therapeutic, which means they help emotionally.
Eat dark chocolate and take CBD derivatives.
Do stretching and deep full breathing exercises.
Pick a past decade and escape back into it's pop culture.
Let this wave of change wash out some people or relationships that were not healthy and affirming.
Let this be an opportunity to meet new people when we are able.
Pray, because God cares and He is in control.
Being a 'sea horse' by nature I love water and I have made a commitment to myself that I'm going to learn how to surf when things get back to normal. Take care and God Bless
J.C.B.
I come to you this morning saying something that may sound crass. This social distancing thing has been fairly easy for me. The fear of myself or loved ones getting sick has not brought me much anxiety. Here is why:
I have been through more painful experiences before. At times I'm still realizing them. I can remember my grandfather having to tell me I was in the pre stages of skin cancer back in 08' and to come in for a lab result. I guess southern boys like to ride around with their shirts off a little too much. I know what it is like to live alone for extended periods of time only to wake up with yourself each morning and wonder if that will change. I know what it is like to realize your life is a lot different than all those you graduated with and to want what they have. I know what it is like to feel that no one understands what you are experiencing, even as an adult. And just this year I watched two family members who I could confide in and who's peculiar personalities melded really well with mine, pass away in consecutive months. For whatever reason I could reach inside them deeply when others could not. I know what it is like to blow thousands of dollars in hiring people to help you find romance only to see it not work. I know what it is like to piss away a relationship, FOREVER, with the best woman a man could ever have; in your early twenties. I know what is like to realize the regret and results of my inability in that is much worse than I could have imagined. I know people say things are not as bad as they seem, but some times in life they can be worse. I know what it is like to get fired from multiple jobs in my twenties and early thirties. I know what it is like for people to doubt me. Boy, do I ever! I could go on. Some others of us could as well reader.
I know you know that these are painful, fearful and uncertain times. Yes, it will be strange to go back to an establishment to eat only to find some friendships you enjoyed with staff there will never be realized again. In a way it will feel like it does when we were in school and starting over each year with a new teacher and in some cases - classmates. I write this synopsis of my testimony to demonstrate to you what you have to do to make it through this. That being, you need to draw upon past painful experiences and let them strengthen you for our present battle. Listen, I know it sounds counter intuitive. Trust me, you will need to mix in this sour with all of the sweet you are using to make it through. When I look back on those dynamics and even some I'm going through now, I see how this issue today does not match up. Back when Bear Bryant was coaching the University of Alabama football team he made practices so hard that his players would say the games felt like fun and they were easier. You need to drawn from an experience from your past that makes coping with today's world feel easier. Please, understand I am not minimizing what we are all going through, yet I can promise you there are some of us who are more battle tested than what this issue is offering. If there are some of you out there not as battle tested - then seek and confide in those that are from an emotional standpoint...............................................
NOW THE SWEET
Many people I know who are my age seek the 90's when they want to heal with nostalgia. Some like the grunge music or they like Seinfeld. I made some poor decisions which caused some self -inflicted heartache in the 90's which caused me to have an unfavorable opinion of that decade as I was living in it. Now, I just have an even perspective on that time in my life. I go back and listen to music or watch old episodes of Wings. Yet, although I don't hate that decade, I also don't love it either. I can take it or leave it.
When I really want to heal and get my second wind I retreat back into the 80's. To me that was the last period of my life before I was either a teenager suffering from insecurities or a college student overwhelmed with thoughts about what I'd be doing with my life. Or now in these times what I've done wrong in my life. As a matter of fact I often tell people I wish I could have been coming of age or had been a young adult in the 80's or even the 70's. I also feel that, that time span had the best sitcoms, movies and the best pop music/culture in our history. I have spent the last several days back in that decade, and I can say how magical, how creative it was then.....................and how visceral it is now. Here is what I want to recommend to lift your spirits
I watched Teen Wolf with Michael J. Fox last week and laughed until I thought I'd get sick. It is more of an under the radar coming of age movie that is a little less know than some others. But man, it will do the job. Here are some songs videos I've been healing with the past few days:
Dan Hartman: I Can Dream About You
Irene Cara: What a Feeling (Flashdance soundtrack)
Squeeze: 853-5937
Mike Reno (Loverboy) & Ann Wilson: Almost Paradise
How I'm coping:
DO NOTS:
Watch the news hardly at all. It is full of negative and sometimes sensationalized information that can cause anxiety. I limit it to once a week or so to see if there is new medical advice....that is it.
Watch the president's state of the union address. This is not to be political at all. Yet, he says crazy things then some interviewer with an opposing political perspective will say condescending things and you have a great big argument and have wasted much of your time. You are basically watching two people act like children.
Hang out on social media too long. I know, you're saying wait a minute that is how I connect and stave off loneliness. True, yet there are better ways to do that where you don't have to see news feeds of someone having the life you want and think you lack.......or someone sharing false information that can be stressful, inflammatory political statements, or you have hackers (in my case lately on FB) or more news that can be stressful. When we are anxious we are more prone to addiction and unfortunately, social media and the t.v. can fuel it.
Drink alcohol. I'm going completely dry until July (my new slogan and goal)
DO's:
Contact people the old fashion way by (letter, phone call) Use text and Messenger but do it sparingly.
Be creative. Now is the time to write new poetry, music, love letters - make more visual art
Temperature therapy: Hot bath or cold bath. Temperature extremes can be chemically therapeutic, which means they help emotionally.
Eat dark chocolate and take CBD derivatives.
Do stretching and deep full breathing exercises.
Pick a past decade and escape back into it's pop culture.
Let this wave of change wash out some people or relationships that were not healthy and affirming.
Let this be an opportunity to meet new people when we are able.
Pray, because God cares and He is in control.
Being a 'sea horse' by nature I love water and I have made a commitment to myself that I'm going to learn how to surf when things get back to normal. Take care and God Bless
J.C.B.
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